GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Chevrolet 🢒 2006 🢒 Equinox 🢒 Engine 🢒 Engine Controls - 3.4L 🢒 DTC P0442

System Description

The DTC P0442 Evaporative Emission System Leak Detected diagnostic monitors the EVAP system for a small leak. The diagnostic runs when the ignition is in the OFF position and the correct conditions are met. While the vehicle is operating there are sources of heat transferred into the tank from the following:

    • Exhaust heat
    • Engine heat
    • Ambient temperature

When the engine is stopped and the ignition is in the OFF position a change in the fuel tank vapor temperature occurs. This results in a change in the pressure of the fuel tank vapor space. This change in pressure is monitored by the control module using the fuel tank pressure (FTP) sensor input. The EVAP diagnostic detects leaks as small as 0.51 mm (0.020 in). If the control module detects a change in the fuel tank vacuum/pressure less than a calibrated amount, this DTC sets.

DTC Descriptors

This diagnostic procedure supports the following DTC:

DTC P0442 Evaporative Emission (EVAP) System Small Leak Detected

Conditions for Running the DTC
    • Before the PCM can report DTC P0442 failed, DTCs P0446, P0455 and P0496 must run and pass.
    • DTCs P0112, P0113, P0116, P0117, P0118, P0125, P0128, P0443, P0449, P0451, P0452, P0453, P0462, P0463, P0503, P1106, P1107, P1111, P1112, P1114, P1115, P2610 are not set.
    • The ignition voltage is between 10-18 volts.
    • The barometric pressure (BARO) is more than 75 kPa.
    • The fuel level is between 15-85 percent.
    • The engine coolant temperature (ECT) is between 4-30°C (39-86°F).
    • The intake air temperature (IAT) is between 4-30°C (39-86°F).
    • The start-up ECT and IAT are within 9°C (16°F) of each other.
    • The vehicle speed sensor (VSS) is less than 129 km/h (80 mph).
    • The vehicle must be driven more than 8.4 kilometers (5.2 miles).
    • DTC P0442 runs once per cold start when the above conditions are met.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets
    • The control module illuminates the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) when the diagnostic runs and fails.
    • The control module records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic fails. The control module stores this information in the Freeze Frame/Failure Records.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC
    • The control module turns OFF the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) after 3 consecutive ignition cycles that the diagnostic runs and does not fail.
    • A current DTC, Last Test Failed, clears when the diagnostic runs and passes.
    • A history DTC clears after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles, if no failures are reported by this or any other emission related diagnostic.
    • Clear the MIL and the DTC with a scan tool.

Diagnostic Aids
    • To help locate intermittent leaks, use the J 41413-200 Evaporative Emissions System Tester (EEST) to introduce smoke into the EVAP system. Move all EVAP components while observing smoke with the J 41413-SPT High Intensity White Light.
    • To improve the visibility of the smoke exiting the EVAP system, observe the suspected leak area from different angles with the J 41413-SPT .

Test Description

The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.

  1. Introducing smoke in 15 second intervals may allow smaller leak areas to be more noticeable. When the system is less pressurized, the smoke will sometimes escape in a more condensed manner.

  2. This step verifies that repairs are complete.

Step

Action

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Engine Controls Schematics

Connector End View Reference: Engine Controls Connector End Views or Powertrain Control Module Connector End Views

1

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle?

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle

2
  1. Inspect the Evaporative Emission (EVAP) system for the following conditions:
    2. • Loose, missing, or damaged service port dust cap and/or schrader valve
    • Loose, incorrect, missing, or damaged fuel fill cap
    • A damaged EVAP canister purge solenoid valve
  2. Raise the vehicle on a hoist. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .
  3. Inspect the EVAP system for the following conditions:
    4. • Disconnected, improperly routed, kinked, or damaged EVAP pipes and hose
    • A damaged EVAP canister vent solenoid valve or EVAP canister

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 3

3

Important: Ensure that the vehicle underbody temperature is similar to the ambient temperature and allow the surrounding air to stabilize before starting the diagnostic procedure. System flow will be less with higher temperatures.

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Connect the J 41413-200 Evaporative Emissions System Tester (EEST) power supply clips to a known good 12-volt source.
  3. Install the GE-41415-50 Fuel Tank Cap Adapter to the fuel fill pipe.
  4. Connect the J 41413-200 nitrogen/smoke supply hose to the GE-41415-50 .
  5. Turn ON the ignition with the engine OFF.
  6. Command the EVAP canister vent solenoid valve closed with a scan tool.
  7. Turn the nitrogen/smoke valve on the J 41413-200 control panel to SMOKE.
  8. Use the remote switch to introduce smoke into the EVAP system.
  9. Use the J 41413-VLV EVAP Service Port Vent Fitting to open the EVAP service port.
  10. Remove the J 41413-VLV once smoke is observed.
  11. Continue to introduce smoke into the EVAP system for an additional 60 seconds.
  12. Inspect the entire EVAP system for exiting smoke with the J 41413-SPT High Intensity White Light.
  13. Continue to introduce smoke at 15 second intervals until the leak source has been located.

Did you locate and repair a leak source?

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 4

4
  1. Disconnect the GE-41415-50 from the fuel fill pipe.
  2. Install the fuel fill cap to the fuel fill pipe.
  3. Connect the J 41413-200 nitrogen/smoke supply hose to the EVAP service port.
  4. Use the remote switch to introduce smoke into the EVAP system.
  5. Inspect the entire EVAP system for exiting smoke with the J 41413-SPT .
  6. Continue to introduce smoke at 15 second intervals until the leak source has been located.

Did you locate and repair a leak source?

Go to Step 5

Go to Diagnostic Aids

5

Important: Larger volume fuel tanks and/or those with lower fuel levels may require several minutes for the floating indicator to stabilize.

  1. Turn the nitrogen/smoke valve to nitrogen.
  2. Connect the nitrogen/smoke hose to the 0.5 mm (0.20 in) test orifice on the bottom-front of the J 41413-200 .
  3. Use the remote switch to activate the J 41413-200 .
  4. Align the red flag on the flow meter with the floating indicator. Use the remote switch to de-activate the J 41413-200 .
  5. Install the GE-41415-50 to the fuel fill pipe.
  6. Remove the nitrogen/smoke hose from the test orifice and install the hose onto the GE-41415-50 .
  7. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  8. Command the EVAP canister vent solenoid valve closed with a scan tool.
  9. Use the remote switch to introduce nitrogen and fill the EVAP system until the floating indicator stabilizes.
  10. Compare the flow meter's stable floating indicator position to the red flag.

Is the floating indicator below the red flag?

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 2

6

Observe the Capture Info with a scan tool.

Are there any DTCs that have not been diagnosed?

Go to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List - Vehicle

System OK